A WEB

Reflections from an A-WEB Observer: 2026 Peru General Elections

Electoral management bodies, in accordance with the legislation of each country, manage, administer, organize, and execute electoral processes. However, once the process concludes, one significant question always remains: what should we have done better?

Election day becomes a pivotal moment, marked by the tension between ensuring that everything goes smoothly and the real-time execution of every previously planned action.

The electoral body I represent is the Electoral Tribunal of Panama (Tribunal Electoral de Panamá). I have served this institution for 25 years. I hold an academic degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, as well as a Master's degree in Senior Management, with expertise in risk management. Within the institution, I have held multiple positions in the course of my duties, some of an administrative nature and others of an electoral character. This year, I have taken on a new challenge as Coordinator of the General Elections Plan (Plan General de Elecciones, Plagel). In this role, I serve as the coordinating body between the various electoral commissions and regional directorates for the implementation of activities for the 2029 electoral process.

On 12 April 2026, we were invited by the A-WEB Mission to be part of the Election Observation team for the General Elections of Peru. This was my first experience as an electoral observer, and as with any first experience, many questions arose. Nevertheless, I have always maintained an open mind to observe and learn.

But what actions does A-WEB undertake to ensure that the group of International Observers fulfills its role and 

that this is carried out in accordance with the principles of the mission? From the days prior to our arrival in Peru, the mission coordinators shared relevant information with the team. Upon our arrival in Peru, we were provided with the distinctive vest that identifies us as members of the Observation Mission; we participated in all the briefing sessions; and one aspect I found notably different from other missions is that A-WEB coordinates an additional briefing session for the team, with the aim of clarifying any doubts and other concerns the team may have.

An added value of the A-WEB coordinators is that they provide a booklet for recording, on election day, all observations on the most relevant points gathered; and they likewise organized separate site visits, in addition to those originally scheduled, in order to verify part of the electoral logistics prior to the electoral event.

One aspect that left a profound impression on me, during the briefing sessions prior to the electoral event, was the electoral threshold (valla electoral) in Peru, which determines the allocation of seats in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. This system differs from the one applied in Panama, where the formulas of quotient, half quotient, and remainder (cociente, medio cociente, and residuo) are used, as established in our Electoral Code.

Before serving as an Electoral Observer, it was essential to thoroughly understand the rules of the electoral process and, very importantly, to avoid forming mental prejudices regarding them.

Prior to 12 April, Peru — along with the A-WEB coordinators — took the responsibility of informing us about the most relevant and innovative aspects of its electoral process. I must admit that one of the elements that most impressed me was the use of artificial intelligence in electoral jurisprudence. Through my profession, I am familiar with the benefits and challenges of AI, but observing how the National Jury of Elections (Jurado Nacional de Elecciones) managed to integrate it into a process of a legal nature was simply remarkable.

Then came 12 April — that moment when, during the early hours of the morning, as we rose and looked out of the window, we uttered our first words: 'God, may everything proceed calmly for the sake of the country's democracy.' Civic spirit becomes evident with the arrival of thousands of polling station members, who report for duty to ensure that the voting process is transparent and secure. As observers, we bear witness to every stage — from the setting up of the polling stations to the transmission of the results — verifying that each step was carried out in accordance with established procedures.

During the approximately 12 hours covered by the observation plan, there were moments when human sensitivity moved us deeply. One moment that gave me pause was witnessing how ONPE* officials demonstrated sensitivity toward persons with disabilities. I witnessed the case of a young person with physical and visual disabilities, and how they were escorted to the preferential treatment polling station. Even amidst the stress of the day, the polling station members paused to provide first-rate assistance — something which was truly commendable.

* ONPE (Oficina Nacional de Procesos Electorales) is the Peruvian electoral authority in charge of organizing and executing electoral processes, including polling logistics and results transmission. It operates alongside the JNE (electoral justice) and RENIEC (civil registry) within Peru's tripartite electoral system.

Throughout the day, we also witnessed the various challenges that arose during the electoral process. I was surprised and impressed by the calm with which citizens responded, even when the media questioned the actions of the electoral body. This experience led me to reflect that, even under pressure, one fundamental factor prevails: democracy. Both citizens and candidates from the various political parties chose to uphold the right to free elections and placed their trust in the decisions of ONPE and the National Jury of Elections.

In the post-electoral phase, the members of the A-WEB Mission presented the report of recommendations, based on all the aspects we were able to witness. It was prepared using the information compiled through the guide provided by A-WEB; it was substantiated, discussed, and set forth the aspects subject to improvement, while also weighing the positive elements in terms of the innovations and successes observed.

But what happens after being an electoral observer and being part of an electoral organization? Upon our return and arrival at our institution, the analysis begins regarding which actions should be applied as good practices, and which risks should not be assumed, given that their possible consequences have been evidenced.

In closing, I would highlight that this observation process has facilitated the internalization of key knowledge. By analyzing good practices and evaluating areas for improvement, I have been able to capitalize on this experience for the enrichment of my professional practice and the strengthening of my duties within the electoral body where I work.

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